The recent BBC series Wolf Hall has inspired a little green envy in households across the country, and there's no denying that the magnificent gardens featured in this series are well worth admiring.

Interestingly, and according to new reports, Henry VIII's personal copy of the world's first gardening manual will be going on display at Buckingham Palace later this year, allowing you the chance to discover the secrets to creating your own Wolf Hall garden.

This gardening manual, which was written over 700 years ago, is widely believed to have been the inspiration behind the lost garden of Whitehall Palace, a historical backdrop featured in the novel Wolf Hall.

The manual, known as the Ruralia Commoda, features an array of weird and wonderful gardening tips and tricks that are very much of their era. More bizarre highlights include instructions to plant squashes on human ashes to promote quicker fruiting, an observation that the use of goat’s manure produces more appetizing lettuce, and advice on growing different coloured figs on the same tree.

On the other hand, the volume is also full of sensible advice about topics such as how to prevent soil from drying out, and even covers various details about pruning, which we still do today.

The manual also includes detailed instructions on how to plan a Royal garden. For example, it instructs that its size and perfection must be an expression of a King’s status and mastery over the environment, and should therefore occupy a plot of a minimum of 20 acres.

It also stipulates that a Royal garden should include fragrant herbs, which not only offer a delightful odour, but refresh the sight too, and feature walks where the King and Queen can meet with Barons and Lords (weather permitting).

The manual was written by Petrus de Crescentiis, a wealthy Italian Lawyer, sometime between 1304 and 1309. It entered the King’s personal library in 1543 following the death of its previous owner, Richard Rawson, advisor and personal Chaplin to the King.

This coincides with the period during which Henry is also thought to have built the great garden at Whitehall Palace, which was unfortunately lost in a fire during 1698. Whilst we can't know for sure, it's tempting to think that the Tudor King may have looked to the manual for inspiration for his garden.

If you're looking for a little inspiration for your own garden, then here at Verdon Grey we are suppliers of a fantastic range of contemporary garden furniture, which can make for the perfect addition to any garden design.

For more information about our range of products and services, please don't hesitate to contact us today by giving us a call on 01284 812 000 and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help you with your enquiries.